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CAIC Presents New Virtual Presentations

The Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center Presents New Virtual Presentations for Agriculture and Aquaculture Value-Added Producers in Maryland and Delaware

EASTON, Md; January 20, 2022…Mike Thielke, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC), announced today that a new session of Virtual Presentations (VPs) presented by the Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC) will begin on February 8. These presentations are part of CAIC’s “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” Program – a four-part program that provides agriculture and aquaculture value-added producers in Maryland and Delaware with the tools to scale their businesses, expand production, maximize their marketing efforts, and increase revenue and profits.

“We are pleased that our first session of Virtual Presentations in the Fall had such great support from the CAIC Participants,” Thielke said. “The February session offers valuable information for our current Participants and for the newly-registered cohort.”

Below is the schedule and subjects for the new session of Virtual Presentations; each will be held via a ZOOM link from 12 NOON to 1:30 PM.

  • VP #1 – Developing and Writing Your Business Plan – Tuesday, February 8th
  • VP #2 – Funding Sources for Value-Added Producers — Wednesday, February 9th
  • VP #3 – Regulations 101; Processes, Licenses, and Permits — Thursday, Feb. 10th
  • VP #4 – Creating Your Marketing Plan and Vision — Tuesday, February 15th
  • VP #5 – Developing and Positioning Your Brand — Wednesday, February 16th
  • VP #6 – Identifying B2B and B2C Growth Opportunities — Thursday, February 17th

Attendance at one or more VP is the first step in CAIC’s  “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” Program. The next required steps in the program are meeting with a Mentor and consulting with Subject Matter Experts. Participants then will be eligible to apply for a CAIC Mini-Grant to help with marketing activities or for attending Food Safety Classes.

Value-added producers in Maryland and Delaware can register as a “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” Program participant on the CAIC Web site: CAIC.ORG.

About CAIC: The Chesapeake Agricultural Innovation Center (CAIC) was established in late 2020 as a new program of ESEC’s F3 Tech initiative to expand F3 Tech’s focus on food technology. CAIC is funded by a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 About ESEC: The Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Easton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with a mission to educate and support entrepreneurs. Its initiatives include F3 Tech, a program that focuses bringing technology solutions to the Farm, Fish, and Food industries.

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MINI-GRANTs

Mini-Grants up to $5,000 are available for:
– Market Research and Validation of Target Market
– Customer Acquisition
– Product Development Initiatives
– Food Safety Classes
Eligibility
Value-added producers and companies with traction ($20,000 or more in yearly revenue) in Maryland and Delaware are eligible to apply for Mini-Grants. Participants may apply once for each of the categories. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a unique and differentiated product or service that incorporates an aspect of innovation or technology in its production, processing, distribution, or other element of the food supply system.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Award decisions will be made and funds will be available no later than three weeks following the receipt of a completed application.
Application Process
Applicants must submit Mini-Grant proposals by filling out the form at this link. Copy(ies) of quote(s), proposal(s), estimate(s), or any other supporting documents.

MINI GRANT APPLICATION

ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SMES)

CAIC offers access to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who can offer authoritative advice based on their deep knowledge and experience in a specific area. See the ADVISORS page of this Web site to learn more about the SMEs who are available to CAIC participants.

Register For The CAIC

Date and Time of Session: Wednesday, October 20th; 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Course Description: This presentation discusses strategies for B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) growth via marketing and sales. The presentation focuses on each company’s plans to diversify its revenue streams by using e-commerce, exporting, and overall customer acquisition tactics to support and enhance brand awareness.
Desired Prerequisite Knowledge and Experience of Attendees: There are no prerequisites for this Virtual Presentation.
Criteria for Acceptance into the Virtual Presentation: Attendees need to have a product-based business; this is not suited for technology and/or app companies.